February 06, 2014

Cartoon: Rail Disaster

BACKGROUNDNew weather warnings were issued for South Devon on Thursday as the relentless storms continued to take their toll. Dawlish is still coming to terms with the devastation to the railway line and homes on the seafront which had to be evacuated on Tuesday night. Some 20 homes in Dawlish were evacuated as part of the train station was destroyed. The lines were left hanging in mid air as 80 metres of track were severely damaged as the sea wall gave way beneath it. Read more >>

THE CARTOONThe cartoon by Mac from the Daily Mail shows the scene at Dawlish train station. A huge wave has just broken up the railway track, and a passenger waiting for his train comments to the guard, who is putting up a sign marked 'DELAYS', "Well, honestly. Last year it was leaves on the line. What's the excuse this time?"

EXPLANATIONLeaves on the line and the wrong type of snow are just two of the excuses which have been used at various times to explain disruption on the UK rail network, and both have become bywords for euphemistic and pointless excuses. The joke is that this time it really is a serious problem — the track has been washed away!

VOCABULARYHonestly is sometimes used to express disapproval or dismay. • Honestly! Look at the mess you've made.

Comments

Cartoon: Rail Disaster

BACKGROUNDNew weather warnings were issued for South Devon on Thursday as the relentless storms continued to take their toll. Dawlish is still coming to terms with the devastation to the railway line and homes on the seafront which had to be evacuated on Tuesday night. Some 20 homes in Dawlish were evacuated as part of the train station was destroyed. The lines were left hanging in mid air as 80 metres of track were severely damaged as the sea wall gave way beneath it. Read more >>

THE CARTOONThe cartoon by Mac from the Daily Mail shows the scene at Dawlish train station. A huge wave has just broken up the railway track, and a passenger waiting for his train comments to the guard, who is putting up a sign marked 'DELAYS', "Well, honestly. Last year it was leaves on the line. What's the excuse this time?"

EXPLANATIONLeaves on the line and the wrong type of snow are just two of the excuses which have been used at various times to explain disruption on the UK rail network, and both have become bywords for euphemistic and pointless excuses. The joke is that this time it really is a serious problem — the track has been washed away!

VOCABULARYHonestly is sometimes used to express disapproval or dismay. • Honestly! Look at the mess you've made.